Apologies:  S Atkins, T Campbell, Mr & Ms D Fleming, Cllr L Collins, Cllr A Rudge
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 20^th January 2012, were agreed as a correct record
MATTERS ARISING: 
a. Primary Schools' Competition - Design of Banners on Safe Parking: Caroline Cotterill was most upset because she wanted to attend and had sent a message to the Chairman.  The PCSOs are available and working closely with schools, two visits are planned for the immediate future.  SUSTRANS recently received a total of 18 bicycles and are continuing to work with schools.  Councillors have agreed in principle to fund the programme but unsure whether funding would be this year or in the next financial year; in the meantime a shop has donated high visibility vests for children and each school will receive a quantity; vests can be personalised with the name of the school but this would have to be paid for.  It is felt the best way of implementing the competition is through the PCSOs and Sgt Hillier has agreed that they will talk in schools in the hope it will encourage families to walk to school or park a little further away from the school gates.
CORRESPONDENCE: No items received.
STANDING ITEMS
a. Boldmere Tasking Group:  There had been burglaries in Bakers Lane but the information had arrived too late for inclusion in 'Gatepost'.  Consideration could be given to arranging a network where Sue and Tracy or the Chairman could email a person in each of the various areas of Banners Gate when information on crimes or

ASBOs was received, residents could then be more vigilant.  There were two such crimes in Westwood Road but unconnected with the alleyway, however, there has been agreement to increase the police presence in the area and a team of young people from the YMCA will visit to talk to people on the street corners; also the Community Safety Officers will be making another assessment of the area.  If there are recommendations from the Police or the PCSOs, action can then be taken although the Police do not believe there is a problem.
b. Banners Gate Primary School: 
OFSTED considered the school insecure so now every external door is operated by an electrical lock and every teacher has a tab to open them. There has been a slight change to the gates with the gate on the Juniors' site now automatic and a new sliding gate for the main Primary School entrance, altogether £17000 not spent on direct education.  There is now much faster broadband to help the children and the aim is for every child to have a laptop or notebook, plus there is Wi-Fi throughout the school.  At present not every child in the school can go to the Headteacher without going outside, eg when a child does well they are awarded a stamp by the teacher and go to the Head to collect it, so a walkway is planned between the two schools; some funding has been provided from Sutton Charities. Also, planned is a ramp to extend from the junior school, past the steps to the dining room and down to the infants side, taking in the Headteacher's office and the Staff Room; it is essential the staff get together and at the moment they are in separate Staff Rooms, when this work is done the two schools will definitely be one but the cost to do this will be great.
NEW ITEMS. No items raised.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS No items raised.

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Banners Gate (Vesey) Neighbourhood Forum held at Banners Gate Community Hall on Monday 28th March 2012
Apologies:   S Atkins, T Campbell, Mr & Ms D Fleming, Cllr L Collins, Cllr A Rudge
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Chairman reminded the meeting that it is the practice of Banners Gate (Sutton Vesey) Neighbourhood Forum to consider the AGM Minutes at the following Ordinary Meeting, therefore the Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting held on Monday, 28th March 2011 had been considered and agreed at the meeting held on 23 May 2011.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
The Chairman said residents may have noticed that there is a new printer of 'Gatepost', the quality is better but the cost is not.  'Gatepost' in full colour is now being emailed to anyone who requests it, just email bgatepost@hotmail.com and put 'Email Gatepost' in the subject line.  Unfortunately this does not save funds but does make 'Gatepost' available to stakeholders in the area who actually reside elsewhere.  Fortunately, the appeal to residents and advertisers for funds proved successful and the Committee thanks all those people who completed a standing order, and also those who donated cash; with the donations plus a £500 grant normally granted plus an additional £300 from the Community Chest 'Gatepost' has been produced for another year.
Thanks are also due to the Banners Gate Community Association who no longer charges the Neighbourhood Forum for the use of the hall and to the three local councillors who have continued to support the Forum by attendance at meetings and in many other ways.
Each Forum meeting has started with a speaker and in the past year the Forum had been informed and entertained by:-

March 2011 Mr Ken Wootton, Census Co-ordinator on why and how Census provides valuable information; and Ms Leigh and Ms Ina founders of 'Money Matters Action' debt and finance advice.
May 2011 Mr Gavin Dodds, previously visited to talk about computers, this visit to enlighten members on the mystery of the 'Great Digital Switchover' to digital television.
July 2011 Ms Heather Patterson from the Lisieux Trust explained the Trust's work in the community and through the Information Resource Centre in Sutton New Road Erdington.
Sept 2011 Mr Albert Sutton founder member of 'Troop Aid' a charity helping injured servicemen. 
Nov 2011 Mr Abdul Ajid, Carers' Emergency Response Service explained the purpose of the organisation.
Jan 2012 Ms Yvonne Gilligan and a colleague Mr John Ashford enlightened residents on the proposed North East Midlands cycle and walking routes.
The Chairman would welcome suggestions for speakers.
Thanks to the following people, and there are so many:-
Jean Smith, the Forum Secretary, for her excellent recording of the meetings, also to Jenny Cloves for standing in when necessary; to Nicky Turner, the Forum Treasurer, for her record-keeping and additional work of recording standing orders and donations, and to Harold Jones, Forum Auditor. Tracey Campbell and Sue Atkins who have represented us at the regular Tasking Meetings at Sutton Coldfield Police Station, helping to make the area tidy and keeping residents informed of any anti-social activities in Banners Gate.  Finally thanks to the residents who attend meetings; to the Committee for collating and folding Gatepost, and to Helen who proof-reads it; and finally thanks to all those residents who deliver 'Gatepost' through the letterboxes (with special mention of Eileen, Jenny and Dave - the Forum would not be a Forum without all fifty plus of you.

Comm. Hall, BG Comm. Church, Gardening comp